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“We have worked on access, now we are focusing on success,” the bill's author, State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, said of the measure, which passed 24-7

Opponents, however, are concerned the bill would shut out minority students.

“I think it is the wrong step and will widen the gap in college participation, not close it,” said state Sen. Rodney Ellis, a Houston Democrat.

Under the measure, institutions would continue to receive grant allocations based on enrollment of low-income students, but would be required to distribute the money based on an academic “priority model” that looks at grade point average, class rank and difficulty of courses.

Of students who meet the academic criteria, the neediest will be served first.

Budget writers have also proposed a 41 percent cut to Tuition Equalization Grants, or TEG, which are given to around 30,000 needy students attending private schools.

The presidents of San Antonio's three private Catholic institutions, which largely enroll low-income, minority, first generation students, said cutting the $105 million TEG program will hamper their ability to make private education affordable to poor students.

Charles Cotrell, president of St. Mary's University, said TEG is thrifty for the state. Each student costs the state an average of $3,441 per year, half the cost of bankrolling a student at a public university. Plus, private schools tend to have higher retention and graduation rates than public schools, he said.